What is the origin story of Christmas?

One widespread explanation of the origin of this date is that December 25 was the Christianizing of the dies solis invicti nati (“day of the birth of the unconquered sun”), a popular holiday in the Roman Empire that celebrated the winter solstice as a symbol of the resurgence of the sun, the casting away of winter and …

When did Christmas become commercialized?

The first period was the 1840s, when Christmas entered the Northeast, and its big cultural centers like New York and Boston, as a commercially tied holiday aimed at children. Before then, Christmas was not widely celebrated in America.

Who started the celebration of Christmas?

Although no date is indicated in the gospels, early Christians connected Jesus to the Sun through the use of such phrases as “Sun of righteousness.” The Romans marked the winter solstice on December 25. The first recorded Christmas celebration was in Rome on December 25, AD 336.

Was Christmas a pagan holiday?

Keep reading and you’ll find that Christmas is inspired by traditions from the Romans, Celtics, Norse, Druids, and more (all pagan). At the time, all of these different groups shared one big celebration that just hapened to fall around Christmas time – the winter solstice.

What countries celebrate Christmas on December 25?

The Assyrians, the indigenous people of northwestern Iran, northern Iraq, northeastern Syria, and southeastern Turkey that belong to the Assyrian Church of the East, Ancient Church of the East, Syriac Orthodox Church, and Chaldean Catholic Church today celebrate Christmas on December 25.

Where does the date of Christmas come from?

Consider the following admission from a large American newspaper (The Buffalo News, Nov. 22, 1984): “The earliest reference to Christmas being marked on Dec. 25 comes from the second century after Jesus’ birth.

How are Christmas traditions celebrated around the world?

Find out why we have Christmas Traditions like Christmas Trees, send Christmas Cards and what Santa’s first name was! See how Christmas is celebrated around the world in countries including The Netherlands, China, Ghana and many more. Read the Christmas Story, see it as a comic, listen to a fun version and find out about its history.

What was the Christmas tradition in the 1800s?

Today’s wreaths, which come in all varieties, from flowers and fruit to glass balls and ribbon to artificial and themed, are most often seen as a secular winter tradition. A Christmas card from the 1800s.

Where was Christmas celebrated in the eighth century?

By the end of the eighth century, the celebration of Christmas had spread all the way to Scandinavia. Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day.